Regional heads of correctional services encouraged to work more closely
Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Rudyard Spencer, has called on heads of correctional services in the Caribbean to work more closely to transform the delivery of service and the lives of inmates.
Addressing the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prison Services (ACHCPS) Conference 2018 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday, Spencer said it is through collaboration that the nations can learn from each other and improve service delivery.
‘You are meeting at a time when we need to be working towards one aim speaking with one voice and setting goal.. .’
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“You are meeting at a time when we need to be working towards one aim, speaking with one voice and setting goals and co-opting partners on the journey to one destiny - peaceful, progressive and prosperous societies,” Spencer said.
“Globally, we continue to see the theme of cooperation and collaboration being essential to successfully confronting and overcoming existing challengess and emerging threats. Though we are many islands separated by land and sea, there should be no distance in sharing resources, knowledge and best practices.” Spencer argued that transformation on all levels, whether within structure of their organisations or in the lives of inmates, requires good leaders, and encouraged the members of ACHCPS to be integral in the process.
“Transformation requires leaders who are innovators, leaders who inspire and leaders who understand the need for social and economic inclusion of inmates and wards,” the State Minister said.
“They are not necessarily bad for being bad’s sake, but made poor life choices and need to be given the chance to reform their thinking, and the tools to make better decisions.”